Hands-on Faith for Families – week of 11/5/12
God Longs for You
Matthew 28:20
“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Talking to God
Thank God for all the ways He loves and cares for you. Ask Him to show you how much He wants you to talk with Him daily.
Diving In
Line up a number of small glasses next to the kitchen sink. One by one, fill the glasses. Discuss how you could fill every container in your house and water would still flow out of the faucet. In a similar way, God's longing for you won't end.
Going Deeper
God is available to you at all times. Just as you can fill another glass with water simply by turning on the faucet, so you can enjoy God's presence by going to Him in prayer. Read Isaiah 30:18: "The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" God wants you to grow closer to Him, to be filled with His love and peace, because He longs for what is best for you. Although God works on your behalf, He wants you to respond to Him, showing a willingness to share your life with Him. One way you can do that is by talking to Him daily.
Talking to Each Other
• Who is your favorite person to talk to, and what makes this person your favorite?
• Tell about a time when you really wanted to talk to this person. Why did you long to talk to this person?
• Why might God long to be gracious to you?
From Focus on the Family's Thrivingfamily.com. © [2011] [Lee Smedly]. Used by permission.
